Cloud Solution Engineer

Title: Cloud Solution Engineer

State Role Title: Cloud Solution Engineer

Hiring Range: $88,000 to $115,000

Pay Band: UG

Agency: Virginia Lottery

Location: Virginia Lottery

Agency Website: www.valottery.com

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

For more than three decades, the Virginia Lottery has worked to build a strong reputation, one synonymous with providing fun, entertaining experiences and doing so responsibly and with integrity. Proceeds from traditional Lottery games support K-12 public education in Virginia. Taxes generated by sports wagering and casino gaming, which are regulated by the Lottery, benefit other priorities of the Commonwealth.

The Virginia Lottery is currently seeking a Cloud Solution Engineer to join our Information Technology Services Department.

The Cloud Solution Engineer is responsible for implementing and maintaining Microsoft Entra ID cloud solutions to meet business requirements, ensuring scalability, reliability, and performance. This individual will assist with the creation of architectural blueprints, diagrams, and documentation related to the cloud. The Engineer implements, manages and maintains architectural solutions, improvements and migration strategies that align with VA Lottery business objectives and IT strategies. This role will assist with migration strategies of on prem platforms to cloud solutions and will collaborate with stakeholders to communicate cloud architecture implications. In addition, the Engineer will coordinate with internal and external teams to ensure effective management and maintenance of solutions. The individual in this role will stay current on the latest Microsoft Entra ID technologies and best practices to ensure compliance with security and regulatory standards. This role supports the continuation of migration efforts to cloud-based applications and services, revamping network infrastructure, and reviewing resources allocated to Microsoft Entra ID cloud solutions.

Azure Infrastructure Management responsibilities include:

• Maintaining Azure infrastructure components, including but not limited to design, support and administration of Virginia Lottery’s PaaS website design and Microsoft Entra ID SQL infrastructure design.
• Managing cloud components such as virtual machines, networks and storage solutions to include their creation, configuration and scaling.
• Managing resources groups and subscriptions for better governance and cost management.
• Assists with assessments of on-premises infrastructure and applications to determine migration readiness to Microsoft Entra ID.
• Deploys out migration strategies to ensure seamless transitions to the cloud with minimal downtime.
• Implements and maintains security best practices, compliance standards, and identity/access within cloud environments.

SQL Microsoft Entra ID/On Prem DB Administration duties include:

• Implementing and maintaining Azure SQL databases.
• Performing database administration tasks, including automation, performance monitoring, system tuning, SQL query optimization.
• Ensuring database integrity and security measures to include user access controls, encryption and auditing.
• Optimizing queries, data migration and design.
• Implementing disaster recovery and high availability strategies.
• Installing and configuring on prem SQL Server instances and databases.
• Maintaining on prem databases to include routine upgrade tasks, rebuilding indexes and checking database integrity.
• Capacity planning for on prem databases for future growth by assessing current usage and predicting future needs.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Provides exceptional support to end-users, addressing and resolving a wide range of technical issues.
• Utilizes advanced troubleshooting skills to identify, research, and solve complex technical problems.
• Ensures high levels of user satisfaction through prompt service and clear communications.
• Collaborates with team and other cross-functional groups, including development, operations, and product management, to assist in gathering requirements, offers technical advice, and ensures issue resolution.
• Maintains effective communication with internal departments and management across all levels, ensuring both technical and non-technical stakeholders are informed and engaged.
• Fosters a collaborative work environment and ensure alignment on project objectives and timelines.
• Creates, maintains, and enhances documentation, including architecture diagrams, design rationales, and deployment methodologies, to support the development lifecycle and operations.
• Establishes and documents best practices, standards, and guidelines for cloud architecture and solution development, ensuring adherence to industry and organizational compliance.

Note - This position requires in-office work three days per week including Tuesday and Wednesday.

Minimum Qualifications

• A four-year degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Business Administration or related field.
• A minimum of 5 years' work experience with Microsoft networks.
• Preferred certifications include Microsoft Azure cloud-based roles and those specific to database management systems (e.g., Azure Fundamentals, Azure Cloud Solutions Architect Expert, Microsoft Certified Database Administrator, Azure Database Administrator Associate).
• Experience with virtualization technologies and cloud computing models to include PaaS, SaaS and IaaS.
• Proficiency in IT security to include working knowledge of identity and access management, multi-factor authentication, FWaaS and WAF to protect information in the cloud from unauthorized internal users and malicious external hackers.
• Working knowledge of scripting to include PowerShell, Python and SQL.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex production LAN/WAN issues utilizing network monitoring tools such as Wireshark.
• Understanding of network fundamentals to include knowledge of TCP/IP, DNS, VLANs and subnetting.
• Strong understanding of data retention policies and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Project management and collaboration skills to create effective cloud solutions through a team effort.
• Experience automating processes and working with legacy information systems.
• Ability to integrate several parts of an organization’s IT system in one place.
• Understanding how databases, networks, and other critical functions work.
• Excellent communication and technical documentation skills.

A comparable amount of training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.

Additional Considerations

Lottery Experience Preferred.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

The selected candidate will be required to complete a background investigation.

The Virginia Lottery is an independent state agency, and as such all positions are exempt from the Virginia Personnel Act, as well as most Executive Branch human resources policies. The Virginia Lottery is a fun place to work and values diversity in the workforce. We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits. The Virginia Lottery is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Only online applications completed in their entirety will be accepted for this position. The Virginia Lottery will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of accommodation in order to provide access to the application and/or interview process. If any assistance is needed when applying online, please contact the Virginia Lottery’s Human Resources Department at (804) 692-7000.

Applications will be accepted until a suitable pool of candidates is received. After 5 business days, this position may be closed at any time.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: 804-692-7000

Email: N/A

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.